Is
it still possible to get weather faxes without a computer onboard?J.M., via e-mailI understand
your curiosity; the "fax" graphics produced by many national
meteorlogical offices still arguably provide the most thorough and worldwide
weather source for mariners. While many boats are now getting them as
Web downloads or e-mails via satellite phone, or by hooking their computer
to an SSB radio through a special modem, some skippers simply don't
want to mess with a computer at sea.

However,
to the best of my knowledge, you only have one choice for a stand-alone
weather fax these days, and that's Furuno's FAX207. Like most
classic marine fax machines, the 207 combines an SSB receiver and a thermal
printer in one box about 14"x11"x4". It comes pretuned
to all 376 known fax channels (and there's room to add 200 new ones)
and can be programmed for up to 30 automatic on/off fax receptions. It
prints in four levels of gray on eight-inch-wide white "dustless"
paper. Furuno technicians say you can substitute standard thermal paper
from an office supply story for Furuno's proprietary brand, but
you'll have to strip off part of the roll to make it fit.

The
207 also has some quite advanced features. For instance, it can automatically
scan available frequencies for the clearest channel. It can also be augmented
with an optional Navtex receiver module and will save and print out desired
Navtex weather statements and warnings between fax transmissions. In fact,
Furuno advertises the 207 as using "advanced microprocessor-controlled
technology." That sort of means that there is a dedicated computer
in there, J.M.; you can't get away from the darn things these days!

The
fact that only one manufacturer is still making stand-alone faxes indicates
to me that a large portion of the market has chosen to receive weather
faxes via other means. Furuno says it has no intention of dropping the
207, but one big marine electronics distributor I called doesn't
stock it.

The
207 usually sells for about $1,650, with an optional but recommended "active
antenna coupler" (signal amplifier) going for an added $360. For
that sort of money, you could buy a lot of satcom time (and many Web "fax"
products are now in easier-to-read color) or even a complete system like
a Si-Tex Nav-Fax 200 receiver along with a decent laptop. No doubt you'd
have to work harder to get your desired faxes with the Si-Tex's
included software; but, when holed up in snotty conditions, you could
listen to shortwave broadcasts and perhaps work on your novel! --B.E.